Spring up at Greening Up

The 16th annual Greening Up the Mountains festival takes place Saturday, April 27, on Main and Mill streets in historic downtown Sylva.

This free festival celebrates spring in the mountains, when the greening leaves work their way up the Great Smoky Mountains. It also celebrates the greening of the environment, with info about sustainable living and presentations by environmental groups.

Children’s activities include: storytelling, face painting, an inflatable slide, volunteer projects and more. Food vendors will also be on hand.

The annual Greening Up the Mountains 5K Run also takes place. It will be the second year on a newly designed route that is less strenuous than in past years. The 5K begins at 9 a.m., while festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info visit www.greeningupthemountains.com or call 828.506.3419.

Have a brew with a view

McGuire Gardens, a new outdoor event venue in downtown Sylva at 553 West Main St., will host a Beer Garden Celebration during Greening Up the Mountains in honor of the anniversaries of Main Street Bakery and Heinzelmännchen Brewery.

Main Street Bakery, open for one year under the ownership of Chad and Heather Kindy, will be serving freshly grilled brats, all the fixings, chips and pastries from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Meals will be accompanied by beer selections from Heinzelmännchen Brewery, celebrating nine years in downtown Sylva with owners Dieter Kuhn and Sheryl Rudd. Non-alcoholic Root Beer & Birch Beer, cookbooks, pint glasses, and T-shirts will also be available.

Live music will be heard all day from the stage on the property, including Eric Everett with Asheville Party, Matt Williams and Friends, and much more. Chairs, tents, and tables will be available for festival attendees to relax, enjoy live music, and help support local businesses.